- Klal Israël
"OJK Klal Israel" (Dutch: "Open Joodse Kerkgenootschap Klal Israël". English: "Open Jewish Religious Society Klal Israel") is a Jewish religious movement founded in July 2007, based in the Netherlands. OJK works closely together with Foundation "Mayim be Sasson" (Stichting Mabas), which comprises a halachic board for conversions (Bet Din le Giyur).
OJK has grown to a nation-wide movement from a single independent, unaffiliated congregation founded at the end of 2005, OJG Klal Israël (Dutch: "Open Joodse Gemeente Klal Israël". English: "Open Jewish Congregation Klal Israel"). This congregation originally comprised two communities, but following an unexpectedly rapid growth, in 2007 the two communities split into two separate congregations (OJG Delft and OJG Assen), and adhered as constituents to OJK. OJG Delft holds services twice a month in the Delft
synagogue , Koornmarkt 12 inDelft . OJG Assen holds services once a month at Bethel Church (formerly Beet El Synagogue), Groningerstraat 14 inAssen . OJK also hosts a fullscale replica of the Second Temple in the virtual world of Second Life: Holy City. This is used for education and as a community centre by Jews from all over the world. [ [http://www.ad.nl/denhaag/delft/article1371059.ece Digital Synagogue at Second Life] .Algemeen Dagblad . "Accessed 7th June 2007" nl icon ] .Position within Judaism
OJK Klal Israël is part of Progressive Judaism, and holds progressive views on, among many issues, homosexuality, the role of women and the role of non-Jewish family members in the congregation. Its essential moral foundations are: equity and justice, equality, democracy and peace [ [http://www.joods.nl/component/option,com_contact/task,view/contact_id,294/Itemid,54/ Joods.nl on Klal Israël] . "Accessed 22th May 2007" nl icon ] .
OJK defines itself as unaffiliated, staunchly independent -- and "reformodox". It largely follows the Dutch liberal liturgy. Like masortis, it views Torah as a "binding" blueprint for a meaningful Jewish life. However, in accordance with the talmudic injunction not to accept jurisprudence unquestioningly, it maintains that the "interpretation" of the law must be shaped by a dynamic and critical process that takes into account the needs and peculiarities of the modern world, and of the evolving Jewish civilization.
Conversion issues
OJK does NOT carry out conversions itself. However, it recognizes as valid the conversions sanctioned by batei din of most currents of Judaism, including reform/progressive Judaism, provided that halakhic standards are met. In principle, the following criteria should be met: 1) A minimum of 12 months of active participation in public worship (a full liturgical year), 2) Personal commitment, and 3) Completion of a program of study or instruction tailored to the background of the candidate. 4) Fufilment of ritual requirements: Brit Milah (for males; if already circumcised, Hatafat Dam); Tevilah and Kabbalat ol Mitzvot.5) The bet din must be valid accoding to the talmud: three Jews with sufficient knowledge of the conversion laws, of whom at least one is a rabbi.
ee also
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Klal Yisrael References
External links
* [http://www.mabas.nl/ Stichting Mabas] nl
* [http://www.klal-israel.nl/ Congregation Klal Israël] nl
* [http://www.rooierebbe.nl/menu.html Rooie Rebbe Issachar ('Ies') Tal van Kekem] nl
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